Mangoes are known to be a summer season fruit. So, when they arrived in a Porbandar market bang in the middle of winter, visitors were naturally astonished. On Monday (December 26), some farmers showcased batches of Kesar mangoes at the APMC market, giving traders and other farmers some food for thought.

The Gujarati Kesar variety is grown in Saurashtra’s Talala and adjoining areas and has been giving close competition to its scrumptious cousins from Bengal and Maharashtra. This year, there are reports of mango trees flowering almost 2-3 months ahead of time in Porbandar’s other areas, including Bileshwar and Khanbhala.

Also read: What makes 'Amla Murabba' a classic winter dish? Know its historical roots and health benefits

Auction

The Kesar mangoes hit the marketing yard on Monday, with 60 kg of produce being auctioned. Usually, the auction of mangoes starts in the summer. In this winter auction, the opening price of the of-season fruit was quoted at Rs 350 per kg, and it reached up to Rs 501.

For the last few years, farmers have been cultivating mangoes in the area near the dam in Porbandar’s Bileshwar, Khambhala and Katawana villages. The Kesar mangoes grown in these areas are known for their taste and size and demand invariably strips supplies.

(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)

First Published:Dec 28, 2022 6:02 PM IST